For Great 3 (Kikuchi-Peacock-Togashi trio) search under “Great 3”. Masabumi “Poo” Kikuchi, a Japanese jazz pianist of great stature, had a huge discography that included everything from straight-up postbop and vanguard classic to fusion recordings, solo synthesizer dates and even digital dub. Sonny Rollins and Lionel Hampton were among his many collaborators. He also recorded and toured with Sadao Watanabe and Paul Motian. Kikuchi was born October 1939 in Tokyo. After graduating from Tokyo Art College High School, he immediately started his own band. He was soon offered a place in Hampton’s Japanese touring group. In 1963, he recorded his first jazz piano recording on Toshiko Ashiyoshi’s East.
